Commission approves upgrades, and plans a site visit

Two city building owners Wednesday proposed installing new windows to meet the requirements of the city’s Historic Resources Commission. The renovations are planned for a residential building on Irving Street in the Center Square-Hudson Park neighborhood; and the second, an office space on Elizabeth Street in Downtown Albany.

The owner of 26 Irving St., a single family home, requested permission to replace the existing wood framed windows on the façade with new double hung windows made of a composite material. The existing storm windows would also be removed. Owner Jeffrey Williams said that Huff ‘N Puff would install the new windows.

Kevin White from 3t Architects (left) and Dan Robertello from Community Resources for Justice/Stephanie Montgomery

Currently the windows need to be taken out completely in order to clean them, according to Williams. The commission reserved a decision pending a site visit planned for this Friday at 3 p.m. Williams’ would like the project to start as soon as possible.

Following the decision on the Irving Street proposal, the commission members considered the case of 28 Elizabeth St., in the Groesbeck neighborhood of the South End. Kevin White, of 3t Architects, and Dan Robertello, of Community Resources for Justice, presented the request. The second floor of the building holds office space for Community Resources for Justice, and the downstairs is vacant.

28 Elizabeth St./Stephanie Montgomery

The owner proposed replacing three windows on the second floor with aluminum-clad wood windows, according to White. This renovation will also include the construction of a reinforced concrete ramp with steel rails and renovations to the building’s bathroom. The ramp’s steel rails will bring the building in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

“I think a painted wood exterior is appropriate,” said commission member John Myers. “Other buildings in the neighborhood have similar size and dated construction.”

The council approved the proposed renovations including the construction and installation of the ramp, bathroom and aluminum-clad windows as long as White used painted wood on the windows. According to White, the project will be completed as soon as possible.

“Basically it’s one big room with two floors,” said White. “The building is very old.”-30-